Mahabharata — Ashvamedhika Parva, Shloka 27
Mind as Charioteer; Kṣetrajña, Tapas, and Dhyāna-Yoga
Adhyātma-Upadeśa
नावा चापि यथा प्राज्ञो विभागज्ञः स्वरित्रया । अश्रान्त: सलिले गच्छेच्छीघ्रं संतरते हृदम्
nāvā cāpi yathā prājño vibhāgajñaḥ svaritrayā | aśrāntaḥ salile gacchec chīghraṃ saṃtarate hṛdam ||
风神伐由说道：“譬如智者，善于辨识水道的分流与航路，乘一叶桨橹精良之舟，于水上不知疲倦，迅速渡过浩瀚水域；同样，具辨慧之人亦能越过世间轮回之海。及至彼岸，便连曾载其渡越的方便之具，也一并舍离其执著。”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches non-attachment to instruments and supports once their purpose is fulfilled: as a traveler abandons possessiveness toward the boat after crossing, a wise person relinquishes clinging to prior aids and accomplishments after transcending worldly bondage.
Vāyudeva is instructing through an analogy: a skilled, intelligent traveler crosses a vast water expanse swiftly using a well-oared boat; likewise, one crosses the ‘ocean’ of worldly life by appropriate means and then lets go of attachment to those means upon reaching the goal.